Time's Up open letter calls for investigation into 'mishandled' Harvey Weinstein allegations

The Time’s Up organisation is calling for an investigation into the handling of a historical sexual assault case against disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
 
In an open letter published by The Cut, the advocacy group urges New York governor Andrew Cuomo to launch an independent investigation into the county’s district attorney, Cyrus Vance, and the office of the district attorney (DA).
 
This was sparked by a New York MagazineNew York Magazine claiming the state had improperly dealt with a 2015 sexual assault and harassment case brought against Weinstein by model Ambra Battilana.
 
“Reports that District Attorney Cyrus Vance could have been improperly influenced by Mr. Weinstein and/or his representatives, and that senior officials within the DA’s office may have sought to intimidate Battilana are particularly disturbing,” the letter reads.

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The Time’s Up group argues that had a conviction occurred, the Miramax co-founder’s “continued victimisation of others” - which saw multiple sexual assault and harassment allegations surface last year - could have been avoided.
 
In light of this, the anti-sexual harassment organisation is calling for the entire decision-making process, including correspondence between Weinstein and the DA’s office, be examined.

LISTEN: The Life Bites podcast on how we can all help dismantle the toxic culture that gives rise to sexual misconduct. (Post continues.)

The emergence of these claims gave rise to the #MeToo movement on social media, in which women around the world shared their own experiences of sexual harassment, abuse and assault.
 
In turn this led to the development of the Time’s Up campaign, launched with the support of hundreds of high-profile Hollywood figures including Reese Witherspoon, Emma Stone, Natalie Portman and Cate Blanchett. 
 
The advocacy group vows to address systemic inequality and injustice in the workplace, and has a legal defense fund to subsidise support for women experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace.